One of the new dictionary entries for 2007 was locavore, a person who tries to eat foods grown as close to home as possible.  Benefits of this practice are many: you get to know the grower, can trust the quality and chemical-free status of the foods you consume, support independent local farmers and decrease food transportation costs and petroleum usage.
    The Green Team presented an adult forum on this topic.  Excerpts from two excellent DVDs on local, organic farming were shared.  These DVDs may be borrowed for home viewing by contacting the church office or the green team.
    Information on local farmers’ markets, organic growers and opportunities to sign up for a Marshfield area CSA partnership will be updated on this web link as it is received. Brochures detailing contents of CSA deliveries are available outside the church office.
     Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is also referred to as subscription farming.  Shareholders who sign up with a farmer may receive boxes of fresh, pesticide-free produce, eggs, and sometimes meat on a regular basis, for a set fee paid in advance.  When making this commitment, shareholders understand that they are sharing in the weather related risks as well as the bounty of the harvest.  

CSA Contacts

Beth and David Behnke-Seper
friendshipgrows@hotmail.com  or phone: 676-2782
Registration & Payment due by October 1, 2009

For 2010 we are expanding to double the amount of members that we accept to 50.  We will also be providing deliveries for 41 weeks of the year.  We've added an April-May share, as well as a Sept-Oct and Nov-Feb shares.

Albert and Mary Borntrager

People who become part of a CSA get high quality, organically grown and pesticide free produce, herbs, eggs and meat. At the same time, CSA has given small family farms a way to remain economically viable.

In any farming venture, weather and other variables may affect quality and yield. Our strong commitment to provide each and every one of you and ourselves with the best produce in Central Wisconsin is unwavering.

We would be remiss if we failed to remind returning customers and advise new shareholders that in purchasing a share of our harvest you are also assuming a share of the risk.

For those of you who are not vegetarians, we are trying a new type of free- range chicken that are especially made for the organic and free range growers. They will weigh from 5 to 8 pounds. The chickens will be delivered right after the end of the produce season. Please order chickens at the same time of your share so we know how many we need to raise. We will send notice as to when chickens will be available for pick-up.

Sincerely,
Albert and Mary Borntrager                       Download 2010 Borntrager CSA.pdf                 
W585 Granton Rd
Chili, WI 54420

Main Street Marshfield Farmers’ Markets
Central Avenue
Pick n’ Save parking lot – Marshfield
June – September Thursdays, 4-7 pm

Festival Foods parking lot
June – September, Saturday and Sundays 9 – 12 noon

Energy Links:

http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2007/11/your-gifts-are.html

http://www.pcusa.org/energy/

http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/

http://www.marshfieldutilities.org/

http://www.we-energies.com/residential/ecosts/ecosts.htm

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations

    Switching to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs is one of the simplest ways to save money and conserve energy.  The newer CFL bulbs are less expensive and much improved over earlier versions. 
    The average home has 45 lights and by changing just five of the most used bulbs, homeowners can save about $25 per year.
    Available through November 11th, are the following sizes:
        13 watt CFL - equivalent to 60 w standard bulb
        20 watt CFL - equivalent to 75 w standard bulb
        26 watt CFL - equivalent to 100 w standard bulb

Informational Tips for Using CFL bulbs
•    CFLs last 7,500-10,000 hours as compared to about 1,000 hours for a standard bulb
•    CFLs take longer to come to full brightness.  Use them in areas where the light will be on for at least 15 minutes, not where the light is switched on and off frequently, such as a stairwell or closet.  This will increase the longevity of the bulbs.
•    Match the bulb to the task.  Spirals are best for wall sconces, lamps and pendant lights.  Flood CFLs are best for recessed fixtures and globes are designed for vanity lighting.  There are now CFLs that work with three way switches and dimmers. 
•    Determine the lumens.  Watts describe how much energy is used while lumens tell us how much light is provided.  Choose a CFL that matches in lumens, the bulb you are replacing.
•    CFLs contain a tiny amount of mercury and must be recycled.  The Green Team will be happy to collect your used CFL bulbs and recycle them at no cost to you.  We will have a collection box where bulbs may be gently placed in the narthex.  Hiller's Hardware is also assisting us with recycling these bulbs at no cost to us.

     Marshfield Utilities is giving away items that will save energy and money.  Call 1-888-543-8155 and sign up for a low flow shower head, nifty night light, refrigerator thermometer and CFL light bulb.....all free!  Kits are limited, so call today.

Get Your Personal Energy Report
    Go to WE energies and click on Residential energy link.  Then choose Understanding your energy costs and click on Personal energy report.  You will be able to print out your gas consumption for the last 12 months and the preceding 12 months.  The data includes the average temperature during each of the months, your total therms consumed and your monthly gas costs.  This is great information for helping us to know if our conservation methods are indeed working.

Cash Back Reward Program for Tree Planters
    You may be eligible for a cash-back reward if you are planting trees in your yard this year.  Deciduous trees (1 inch caliper) must be purchased through a participating nursery.   They must be planted in a location that provides significant shading on the south or west side of your home or shade your air conditioner.  Go to Marshfield Utilities website.
    Qualifying trees are eligible for the following rewards:
    Purchase Price    Rebate
    up to $150        $40
    $150-$300        $50
    $300 +               $75

Measure your Ecological Footprint
    Go to http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/
    This site contains an on-line survey that will help you determine how your energy consumption compares to others in your zip code. This is a very eye opening experience.
    IF you aren't a computer user, and would like help with any of these sites, just let the Green Team know.  We'd be happy to assist you.